Chapter Four: Hogwarts/Sorting

As Senda walked out of the Hogwarts Express, she saw a giant, tall man telling the first years to come this way. He carried an oil lamp and walked toward the train. It was Hagrid, the man that Harry had been with in Diagon Alley. She got out and listened to Hagrid shouting.

Hagrid: " Right then! First years, this way then, please. Come one, now! First years, don't be shy."

Hagrid shouted some more and Senda walked up to him with Ron beside her and Harry leading the way. Hagrid beamed as Harry walked up to him.

Hagrid: "Alright there, Harry?"

Harry: "Hello, Hagrid."

Hagrid then called the rest of the first years forward and they set off down what seemed to be a steep, narrow path. It was dark on either side and Senda thought for a second that they were walking in woods. Nobody spoke and Neville sniffed once or twice.

Senda was not liking it at all and was about to say something when Hagrid said that they would receive their first sight of Hogwarts in a second. There was a loud "Ooohhhh!" as the students gasped at Hogwarts, Senda among them.

The path had opened onto the edge of a great, black lake. High atop a mountain upon the other side of the lake was a castle, with turrets and towers. Candles were on all over the castle and the glow of the castle was a wonderful sight to behold.

The sight, however, was ruined by the appearance of boats. Senda didn't fancy riding boats, but she sucked it up, screwed up her face, and got aboard the boat that Harry, Ron and Hermione had taken. It was dark, which made everything worse, as Senda hated the dark. The boats seemed to guide themselves, and there were only people aboard with one lantern per boat. Ron drew the task of holding the lantern aloft as they rode on the boat toward Hogwarts.

Somewhere along the way, something drew her to look into the water and she did. She didn't much like rivers or lakes or any large body of water, but this river was magical, or hid magical beings. She could feel it. As the boat went on, Senda put her hand into the water and let it trail until her hands became numb because the water was cold. As she was about to pull her hand out, she swore that she saw a mermaid swimming along with them just below the water. The mermaid smiled and Senda smiled back. But suddenly water shot out of the river at her and she knew that the mermaid had splashed her. Senda's face was now wet and Senda herself was most annoyed. Senda scowled and hit the water with her hand. Which just got her more wet. Which made her more annoyed. And Ron muttering something to Harry, which Senda felt sure included the words "nutter" "crazy" and "weird-o", did not help her mood.

Looking up, Senda could see a cliff upon which stood the castle. As they drew nearer to it, Senda got a bad feeling. She ignored it, or tried to, and hardly noticed when Hagrid, who was up front of all of the boats and had a boat to himself, warned them to put their heads down. Hermione tapped Senda on the shoulder and told her what Hagrid had said and Senda did so.

The boats then carried the through a curtain of ivy that hid a wide opening in the cliff face. Through the opening and into a dark tunnel, and it was all the Senda could do not to scream now. She held tight to the boat with her hands and closed her eyes. The tunnel, Senda noticed, seemed to be taking them right under the castle. Senda was very pleased when they reached an underground harbor of sorts, where they all got out onto rocks and pebbles.

One they were all out, Hagrid then led them up a passageway in the rock, Hagrid leading the way with his lamp, and they came out onto damp grass in the shadow of the castle. Hagrid asked if they were all there and, walking up a flight of stone steps, which the students crowded around, Hagrid knocked three times on the castle door, which was huge and made of oak. The door opened and Hagrid told the students where to go, and then left. But before leaving, he said that they would meet a witch wearing green robes and looking very stern and they were to listen to her and her name was Professor Mcgonagall.

Senda did not at all like this, but following his directions, she went through the entrance hall, which was huge and had flaming torches along the walls. Then it was up a flight of stairs, around a corner, and up another flight of stairs.

Standing at the top of the stairs was a witch who wore green robes and a witch's hat. Her face was very stern and Senda knew at once never to cross her. She also knew that this must be Mcgonagall. Senda listened as Mcgonagall spoke.

Mcgonagall: "Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin."

Senda nodded and looked annoyed at being delayed. She wasn't one to waste time and this talk was mildly boring. Looking at him, Senda could see the blonde-haired boy from Madam Malkin's smirk as Slytherin was named. Again, he seemed familar, though Senda couldn't quite place him.

Mcgonagall: "Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule-breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup."

Mcgonagall would have gone on, Senda felt sure, but at that moment, Neville saw Trevor the toad, which was Neville's, by Mcgonagall's feet and Neville yelled "Trevor!" and went and picked him up. Mcgonagall looked down at Neville as he got Trevor with a look of annoyance and "how dare you interrupt me?". Senda was right in thinking that Mcgonagall was not one to be crossed. The students laughed slightly as Neville got Trevor back. Neville muttered a sorry as he backed away.

Mcgonagall: "The Sorting Ceremony will begin momentarlity."

And with that, Mcgonagall walked away. Senda was happy at this and was going to say something to Harry and Ron about Neville and Mcgonagall when the blonde-haired boy spoke up.

Blonde-haired boy: "So it's true then, what they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

Now Senda, who was standing behind Harry and Ron, looked at the blonde-haired boy and decided that she did indeed not like him. The students gasped and muttered to themselves and others beside them, which annoyed Senda. If you're going to talk about someone, do it to their face, not their back.

Blonde-haired boy: "This is Crabbe and Goyle." jerks head toward the two rather large goons behind him "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."

Ron snickered at this and Senda knew that Draco woulnd't stand for it. When he said his name, she's know who he was. And, being like his father, he would get mad. Admittedly, Senda snickered also, but Draco seemed to ignore Senda and instead rounded on Ron. Senda decided to take action before Draco could. Or tried to, but Draco was on a roll, and for some reason, she wanted to listen to what he said about Ron, if only for inspiration for her comeback.

Draco: "Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask you yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley. My father told me that they all have red hair, freckles and more children then they can afford."

Senda noticed the mildly sad look on Ron's face when Draco said that, and she was suddenly so mad at him. That look was a look that she never cared to see again. But, again, before she could say anything, Draco went over to Harry, again ignoring Senda, and this annoyed her far more then anything yet, for she hated to be ignored.

Draco: "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better then others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Draco held out his hand for Harry to shake, but Harry didn't take it. Instead, he came back with a mildly offending comeback.

Harry: "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks."

Draco looked mad and about ready to explode at this insult, but Senda didn't want to miss her chance to make him mad, so she took it before the green-robed witch could come back. So Senda stepped up and moved Harry aside to stand right in front of Draco.

Senda: "Yes, yes, wrong sorts and all. Totally crap if you ask me. And I should have known who you were in Madam Malkin's, but I had, shall we say, other things on my mind. But back to the point. It's easy to tell a Malfoy apart from other wizards. And it's not a complement! Blonde, gelled hair, a nasty attitude, and a huge ego. Like I said, easy to see. Believe everything your dear old dad says, do you? I do hope he's staying out of trouble, although I don't see why anyone believes him when they know what he was...and perhaps still is."

Draco looked ready to kill Senda when Mcgonagall came back. Senda would have gone on, but the point was well received. Draco and Senda were both staring hard at each other when Mcgonagall tapped Draco on the shoulder with a piece of parchment and Draco went to stand by Crabbe and Goyle. Senda smirked at Draco as he walked away.

Mcgonagall: "We're ready for you now. Follow me."

INTO THE GREAT Hall Mcgonagall led them and Senda was amazed at everything about the Great Hall. The First thing that Senda saw were the tables. Four tables stretched from the door to another table at the end of the room, which Senda noticed was the High Table, as her father and Dumbledore were sitting there. She knew no one else at the table. The four tables contained other students of various ages. They were all wearing black robes just like Senda's, but upon looking closer, a seal upon each robe became apparent. They sat by houses, Senda realized. One house sat at one table. Easy to figure out, so she didn't say anything about her realization.

The next thing that she noticed were the candles lighting the Great Hall. Floating above each table were hundreds and hundreds of candles. Floating in midair. It was an amazing sight.

And the third thing came as a shock. Looking up, mainly because she had nowhere else to look, she saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Senda smiled and looked at the stars. She loved stars.

The First years were led in a line of two by two to in front of the High Table, where they all filed out again before stopping and standing. Senda had been walking beside a girl named Tina Manning, but they were not friends yet.

Harry and Ron were in front of Senda and Hermione and another girl were behind her. Senda heard Hermione explaining to the girl about the ceiling and how it was bewitched to look like the sky outside and how she had read about it in iHogwarts: A History/I and Senda found the first part interesting enough.

Senda stood behind Harry again when they all stopped. They were in front of the High Table. Peeking over Harry's shoulder, Senda could see Mcgonagall standing by a stool. It was a four-legged stool and upon it was a dirty old wizard's hat. Senda really didn't like it.

Mcgonagall: "Alright, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

Senda frowned and looked on as Dumbledore sat up and she listened as he spoke.

Dumbledore: "Before we begin sorting, I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. First years, please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr Flinch, has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor one the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."

Neville looked scared and confused and some of the other first years looked the same way. Senda laughed silently to herself and made a mental note to check it out.

Senda was wondering how they were to be sorted when the hat seemed to rip. The bottom front opened to form a mouth and the hat began to sing. It was called the Sorting Hat, it said, and when it got done singing, everyone clapped and cheered. Senda didn't like the singing very much, but she didn't hate it. At least, Senda thought, the other don't break into song at random times and I'm grateful for that.

Mcgonagall: "When I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses."

Senda nodded and watched as the students were called and sorted. Hermione was the first to be sorted of the people that Senda knew and Hermione got sorted into Gryffindor. Senda snickered at Ron's comment about Hermione being mental. And it was rightfully said, as Hermione was muttering to herself as she stepped up to the sorting hat. Next of the people that Senda knew to be sorted was Draco. He got his wish almost at once. The hat had barely been put on Draco's head when it yelled, "Oh, dear, the next generation of Malfoy. SLYTHERIN!" and Senda laughed.

Senda was thrilled to be there, and sorting was fun, but it was losing its wonder. Looking at the High Table, she saw her father talking to someone wearing a purple turban. A twichy little man he was, the one wearing the turban. Senda wondered what his name was but pushed the thought aside. She could tell that her father wasn't really paying attention to the turban man and she rolled her eyes. But she noticed that her father was looking at Harry. This she didn't mind but she wasn't too happy about it. But she was spared from getting angry when Harry said a quite "Ow!" and rubbed his scare. Senda and Ron asked what was wrong, but Harry said he was fine. This annoyed Senda, too. She didn't like being lied to.

The next person that Senda knew to be sorted was Harry. Senda wondered a second what would happen once everyone knew that Harry Potter was there, but decided to wait and see. It didn't take long.

The minute his name was called, a murmuring arose like wildfire throughout the Great Hall. Senda restrained herself from yelling at every one of them.

Harry was sorted into Gryffindor and he received the biggest cheer yet. Senda smiled and clapped and went along with it. Harry went and sat down at the Gryffindor table. The Weasley Twins, Fred and George, were jumping up and down, yelling, "We got Potter! We got Potter!" and this made Senda laugh.

There were now only four people left to be sorted, including Senda herself. The laughing didn't help at all when Senda was called right after Harry. Senda winced at being called Veronica. Senda walked up to the stool, face red, looking at the ground. Senda sat on the stool while Mcgonagall placed the sorting hat on Senda's head. Suddenly it was dark as the sorting hat went on her head and she heard a voice in her ears.

Sorting Hat: "Well, well. Hmmm. You like making trouble but you don't like lying. You have lots of qualities, yes. You envy close friendships and want good friends. You have a very cunning mind and you wish to prove yourself. You have a wicked sense of humor. You have a lot of ambition. Yet you have other qualities."

Senda thinking :" Like what? And how does this hat know these things about me?"

Sorting Hat: "I can hear you think. And I can see into your mind. And you're willing to work hard for what you want. Hmm..."

Senda thinking harder : "Get out of my mind!"

Sorting Hat: "Yes, I know enough to sort you now. SLYTHERIN!"

The last word was said so that everyone could hear while everything else that was said was only said to Senda. Senda smiled weakly and walked over to the Slytherin table, where she sat down next to a boy with light brown hair. Sitting down, Senda looked at the High Table. She could see it clearly now. She noticed her father clapping, the only time that he had clapped tonight, as far as Senda could tell, and her face went redder then it already was.

The next two people were called, then it was Ron's turn. He got sorted into Gryffindor and suddenly Senda felt very alone. Get over it, Senda thought, and indeed she did. Nevertheless, she clapped for Ron and smiled as he walked and sat next to Harry at the Gryffindor table. Finally everyone was sorted. Then Dumbledore stood up, beaming, arms opened wide, and began to talk again.

Dumbledore: "Now I wish to speak again. Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

For some reason, everyone clapped and Senda went along with it, wondering why yet grinning. Maybe Dumbledore wasn't that bad of a Headmaster. For one, he was funny so far, and that mattered greatly to her, because she loved funny people with a sense of humor.

Senda then thought of her question about the Professor that her father was talking to and decided to ask the light brown haired boy.

Senda: "Excuse me, but do you know the name of that Professor who's sitting next to — Professor Snape?"

Light-brown haired boy: "Don't you have any manners?"

Senda: "What? Oh! Sorry, my name's Senda."

Light-haired boy: "That's more like it. The name's Thomas Vaghn. Have a last name, Senda?"

Senda: "Hi, Thomas. Last name's Snape."

Thomas: "As in Professor Snape's daughter Snape?"

Senda: "Yes."

Thomas: "Cool. Sorry about a few seconds ago, but I don't like people being rude to me."

Senda: "Yeah, well, I wanted to ask if you knew about him. So, do you?"

Thomas: "Yeah, sort of. He's Professor Quirrell. He teaches DADA."

Senda: "Ah. Thanks,"

Just then Senda looked at the plates on the table and they were suddenly filled with food. Senda's mouth dropped open and she started grabbing food from the plates and putting it on her own plate. Senda made a "this is neato" face that was also half smirking. She didn't care and dug in.

Draco was sitting across from her. Senda hadn't noticed this when she sat down, but she didn't care. She laughed to herself when Draco made the same face as Senda had.

There was a fury of movement as the students reached back and forth for their food. It was every man and woman for his or her self and Senda could get used to this.

Then, suddenly, the Great Hall was filled with ghosts. Senda counted at least seven. One was fat and another wore a knights clothes and this one stayed by the Gryffindor table. Another ghost was a witch who was called the Grey Lady, as Senda found out. And another, the Slytherin House ghost, was called the Bloody Baron. He went along the Slytherin table, slashing at everyone with his wand. Senda almost didn't want to eat after that. But that would be craziness not to eat, so eat she did.

Reaching for a chicken leg on Draco's side of the table, Senda couldn't get it because a fork was already trying to get it. Looking up, Senda saw the it was Draco. They were both wearing a "let go; it's mine" look and both would not let go. Senda reached for her knife while still holding the chicken leg firmly with her fork. Draco reached for his. They reached an unspoken agreement: best knifesman would win the chicken leg. Senda realized how stupid it was to fight over a chicken leg, but what the hell, why not. So Senda and Draco battled with their knives until Senda slashed a small bit of Draco's hand. A neat little red line appeared on Draco's hand and a few spots of blood came from it. Senda huffed and grabbed the chicken leg. Draco looked horror-stricken.

Senda: "Oh, get over it. It's only a small cut, and it's no less then what you deserve for being so mean to Ron. Get over yourself, Draco, because you can't win with me. And any smartass comeback and the whole school will know that you were ibeaten by a girl,/I got it?"

The last part was in a singsong voice and mainly because Draco looked like he wanted to say something crushing. Senda looked and felt rather pleased with herself and was shaking her head when she looked at the High Table once again. Hagrid was drinking and Senda's father was still talking to Professor Quirrell. Severus looked past Quirrell for a second and looked at Senda. Senda looked away as she was nudged by the girl sitting next to her. Her face looked like that of a dog.

Dog-faced girl: "I'm Pansy Parkinson. What's your name?"

Senda: "I'm...I'm Senda Snape."

Pansy: "As in Professor Snape? I didn't know he had a daughter."

Senda: "That's very nice. What do you want?"

Pansy: "Well, we were talking about why we got in Slytherin. What do you think?"

Senda: "As for me? I dunno. I have Slythein qualities, I guess, as do the rest of you."

Pansy: "Well, yes, that's the simple answer, but not what I'm looking for."

Senda: "How am I to know why I got sorted into Slytherin? It's a dumb question."

Pansy: "No need to be rude. D'ya think you'll like it in Slytherin?"

Senda: "Sorry, bad day. Yeah, I think I will. I hope so. Too bad if I don't, eh?"

Pansy: "Yeah. Can't change houses, plus the sorting hat has never been wrong. Wanna be friends?"

Senda: "Thanks for the offer, but I can find my own friends."

Pansy: "Suit yourself."

Senda went back to eating and now dessert had appeared and Senda dug in. She got more dessert then anything and ate happily. Draco was ignoring Senda and was happy to be ignored by Senda. Senda felt the same way. After a while, everyone was done eating and Senda hoped that they would go soon, but Dumbeldore said that they were to sing their favorite song or tune. Senda wasn't too sure about this, but she did like music, so she sang along with most of the students to the Hogwarts theme song, for lack of better words. You know how it goes. Then only Fred and George were left singing along to a slow funeral march. Once they got done, everyone clapped and cheered and Senda did, too.

Dumbledore: "Ah, music, a magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

Senda got up along with everyone else and was led to the Slytherin dorms, along with all of the other Slytherin first years, by the Slytherin Prefect. It was in the dungeons. Going there was horrible. There was so much to remember. Moving staircases and talking, moving pictures. Walking suits of armor and trap doors. And the ghosts. Oh, Peeves was hell to run into when you were late for class. Senda hated Peeves and made it her mission in life, one of her missions, to somehow repay Peeves for being mean to her. It wasn't to be taken personally, mind you, because Peeves was mean to everyone, but Senda took it personally.

When Senda got to the Slytherin Common Room, she didn't even look around. Indeed, she had hardly waited for the Prefect to finish explaining everything when Senda went to the girls dorms. As said by the Prefect, her trunk and bag, which she had left on the train, were both by the foot of her four-poster bed. There were five beds in the room and no windows. There were tables beside the beds. Senda changed into her nightgown and moved her trunk under her bed. She got a black moon necklace out of the bag and put it on the table.

The other four girls came into the dorm and went about getting ready for bed. Senda got into bed and went to sleep. Her last thought before sleeping was to check on Evan, which she decided to do first thing in the morning.